The last Kid moved out in May. June, we took in roommates. September, they were (thankfully) gone. That left the back 2 bedrooms of our 3 bedroom apartment empty (and in need of some SERIOUS cleaning. Let's just say that some people have lower standards than others)

I tackled the bedroom that also holds the washing machine, vaccuumed/shampooed the carpet, washed down the walls, windows, etc.. Then I set up work areas for sewing, stained glass, painting, etc. and brought in organization shelves/bins to store all of my supplies. I also brought in a smaller television and hooked the cable box up to it. Last I set up some speakers that I can connect to either my laptop or my ipod, and hung up some things on the walls. Low and behold, I have an art studio now!

Monster enjoys sitting under my worktable, either curled up at or laying across my feet. We can be found in here almost any minute of the day, when we aren't out running errands, or taking care of whatever it is that needs doing that day. Sam says he has lost his wife to the art studio.

So, I'm starting to work on the last bedroom. I'm turnining it into Sam' "man cave," of sorts. I'm pulling up the carpet and putting down wood so that he can practice Tai Chi there. He'll also have his own tv, an hd one, so that he can run tai chi videos off his ipad, and a stereo for music, some low seating for relaxation and/or meditation, and, I thought, a little fountain to make the room even more relaxing. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will "loose my husband to the Tai Chi studio!" LOL I just wanted to give him his own space, like I have mine. Just like in my art studio, there will be a futon. I find them very functional and comfortable, when used as either seating or a bed. Of course, that only applies if you have a quality futon mattress on the frame. I prefer the traditional or a memory foam mattress, though there are innerspring mattresses for futons. But that is another topic all together.

I've been working on our new rooms as a way to avoid doing holiday stuff, though I won't be able to put it aside forever. But it makes me freel like I have accomplished something, and doesn't make me feel like I'm pressed for time to do it.